Two Charged in Child Abuse Case

A Lake Ridge man and a Dumfries woman were charged April 11 with the abuse of a child in Lake Ridge on April 7, police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said. 

A police investigation into the child abuse allegations revealed that a 13-year-old boy had been hit with a belt on his back, head, face, neck, and arms until he sustained severe bruising and lacerations. The victim was allegedly tied to a chair and later to a stair handrail with electrical cord and a rope, Perok said.

When police got a search warrant, they found items indicating that the alleged abuse had taken place, Perok said.

The Lake Ridge man has been charged with child abuse and abduction. The Dumfries woman has also been charged with child abuse, since she is accused of knowing about the abuse and failing to tell any authorities. The child is in the custody of Child Protective Services.